Methods and devices for a game of chance based on occurrences and for gambling on a live sporting event

ABSTRACT

A game for enhancing viewer interest and enjoyment of a sporting event and providing a promotional vehicle for enhancing revenue for organized athletic teams, television and radio broadcasters, and advertisers and a gambling system for use in conjunction with a live professional baseball game includes wagering cards corresponding to a particular baseball game. The wagering cards have printed thereon opportunities for the card holder to win payouts upon the occurrence of certain events in the sporting event.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/254,777 filed on Oct. 26, 2009 and from U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/255,301 filed on Oct. 27, 2009. Both applications are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to games of chance which are designed for contemporaneous play with an on-going competitive athletic event and methods and devices for gambling on an on-going competitive athletic event, such as a game of baseball. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sweepstakes-type game in which pre-printed game cards are distributed to contestants which permit the contestants to win prizes based on the occurrences of certain events during a live sporting event and a lottery-style game in which pre-printed wagering cards are purchased by bettors for a chance of winning money upon the happening of certain occurrences during a live sporting event.

BACKGROUND

While billions of people currently follow live sports games each day via television, radio, and stadium attendance, businesses that make money from these games would benefit by increasing the number of event viewers and the amount of time each viewer follows a sporting event.

Gambling on the outcome of sporting events has occurred for centuries. The enjoyment of sports coupled with the excitement of gambling has led to the success of many sports book operations throughout the world. New methods for expanding sports-based betting would be useful for developing the operations of many sports book operations.

SUMMARY

This invention is based on the development of a game which enhances viewer interest and enjoyment of sporting events while, at the same time, providing a promotional vehicle for enhancing revenue for organized athletic teams, television and radio broadcasters, and advertisers. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention is used in conjunction with a live professional baseball game. In this embodiment, one or two (or more) baseball games in a given week are selected as “WIN EVERY INNING” games. Game cards corresponding to a particular WIN EVERY INNING game are made and distributed to the public, e.g., through chain restaurants, convenience stores, supermarkets, gas stations, stadiums. The game cards have printed thereon opportunities for the card holder to win prizes upon the occurrence of certain events in the sporting event. WIN EVERY INNING combines the appeal of America's pastime with the opportunity to win prizes and thus addresses each of these important markets. It adds continuous excitement to each ball game and will keep fans watching through the end since they will have the opportunity to win prizes each inning, regardless of which team is winning or the score. For baseball, it will increase the number of fans following the games both on television and in the stadium; revenues will be increased by adding new baseball fans and encouraging existing fans; it will enhance Baseball's image as an innovator and will create a new way for families to have fun while enjoying the game. For the media, it will increase the number of viewers and the length of time that they watch WIN EVERY INNING games on television and provide new programming opportunities. For the retail Sponsor, it will attract new market share and get customers to return to the outlet more often. For Stadiums participating in Sponsor's WIN EVERY INNING Stadium Days it will increase attendance and, most important, have fans already at the stadium stay throughout the game and not leave early.

This invention is further based on the development of a gambling system which provides a convenient yet exciting way to simultaneous enjoy a sporting event and gambling. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention is used in conjunction with a live professional baseball game. In this embodiment, wagering cards corresponding to a particular baseball game are made and sold through a casino, a lottery system, or other gambling forum. The wagering cards have printed thereon opportunities for the card holder to win payouts upon the occurrence of certain events in the sporting event.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the case of conflict, the present specification, including any definitions will control. In addition, the particular embodiments discussed below are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary view of the front face on a game card for use with the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view of the front face on a wagering card for use with the invention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view of the front face of another wagering card for use with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention encompasses various devices and methods for playing a game which enhances viewer interest and enjoyment of sporting events while, at the same time, providing a promotional vehicle for enhancing revenue for organized athletic teams, television and radio broadcasters, and advertisers. The devices and methods of the invention can be used in conjunction with a live professional baseball game wherein one or two (or more) baseball games in a given week are selected as “WIN EVERY INNING” games, and game cards corresponding to a particular WIN EVERY INNING game are made and distributed to the public, e.g., through chain restaurants, convenience stores, supermarkets, gas stations, stadiums.

Each game card has printed thereon the identity of the WIN EVERY INNING game (e.g., Yankees vs. Red Sox on Jun. 18, 2010), a listing of nine (or more to take into account possible overtime play) innings, and a possible occurrence for each inning (e.g., 4 singles in the 1^(st) inning, 3 runs in the second inning, 2 doubles in the third inning, and so forth). The card holder would then watch the game at a stadium, on television, or listen to it by radio. If the specified inning occurrence in fact occurred, then the card holder would be entitled to a prize which could also be specified on the game card (e.g., a free sandwich, free admission to another sporting event, a T-shirt, etc.). Thus, the card holder would have a chance to win a prize at each of the nine innings, and so would be encouraged to watch the entire game.

In one variation, the value of the prize could increase with the number of innings won (e.g., a prize worth $1 for winning one inning, a prize worth $3 for winning 2 innings, a prize worth $6 for winning 3 innings, etc.). Importantly, the value of a prize could be determined by the statistical likelihood of the occurrence happening (e.g., as extrapolated from historical records compiled over greater than a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 20 year period). Thus, for instance, the prize for a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning could be worth $100, whereas the prize for hitting 3 singles in the first inning could be worth only $0.50. Using validated statistical likelihood calculations, the provider of the prizes (e.g., the game card distributor, the stadium, chain restaurants, convenience stores, supermarkets, gas stations, or other sponsors) could reduce the risk of a loss in excess of the advertising benefit.

While each game card of the set of game cards per each WIN EVERY INNING game could specify the same inning-occurrence-prize listings, preferably, the set would include at least 2 (at least 3, 4, 5, 10, 100, 1000, 10,000 or more) subsets of cards with differing inning-occurrence-prize listings. Each card of the set might contain a unique inning-occurrence-prize listing or each card might be created by random generation and assignment of inning-occurrence-prize listings.

EXAMPLE

WIN EVERY INNING is a game which fans can play as they watch a baseball game on television or in the stadium. Each week a Major League baseball game will be the WIN EVERY INNING game. For each game, WIN EVERY INNING cards will be created and distributed either through the participating sponsors, or at the ballparks involved in the promotion or a combination of both. An advertising campaign by the Sponsors and by the baseball teams involved mentions of WIN EVERY INNING on the Media and the Sponsor's in-house promotions will encourage fans to participate. In addition to the weekly game, national games could be added in the future both on a state and or national level.

Winners can return to a sponsor's outlets for prizes and to obtain new cards for next week's game. Winners of four WIN EVERY INNINGS during the season, in addition to winning valuable Level Four prizes, can participate in the WORLD SERIES SWEEPSTAKES with a chance to win the Grand Prize.

Fans who are not able to watch the game can visit the Sponsor's outlets where results will be posted or call a 900-number for results after each game. Winners can present their winning cards at the Sponsor's outlets where they can receive prizes and the next level of cards. Each of the cards can include an identifier such as a unique barcode, serial number, or the like so that each card can be identified and also recognized as genuine. A machine capable of reading the identifier such as a barcode reader or magnetic strip reader can be employed to automate determination of the card identity and whether the card entitles its holder to be awarded a prize. Cards are designed to ensure a significant number of winners of Level One prizes, which will encourage fans to play and watch the game every week. Prizes will be structured to make watching and winning really worthwhile for fans and will increase excitement and enthusiasm. To further encourage fans to watch throughout each game, the EIGHTH INNING SPECIAL will offer all winners of the eighth inning the opportunity to win a weekly cash prize.

Baseball will benefit as the number of fans following each game increases, as well as the length of time that they watch the game. Thanks to the opportunity to win prizes, fans will have additional incentive to watch baseball games in preference to competing sporting events or other television programming. Baseball will be publicized in the statewide outlets of the Sponsor on in-store promotional materials. The Sponsor's national advertising campaign will further stimulate the potential baseball audience. Baseball will be publicized in the statewide outlets of the Sponsor on in-store promotional materials. The Sponsor's national advertising campaign will further stimulate the potential baseball audience. Increased revenue from television as ratings increase and advertising rates go up. Increased revenues for Baseball owners as stadium attendance increases due to Sponsor's Stadium Days and adding new baseball fans. A unique tool to attract new fans to Baseball and to hold the interest of current fans through the end of each game. Heightened public awareness of Baseball through promotions in the Sponsor's outlets, and possibly those of Co-Sponsors. Enhanced image as an innovator and positive association with family fun. Potential to continue the promotion from year to year. Sponsor's Co-Sponsors and Prize Providers involved in the project may wish to spend more advertising dollars on baseball.

Because WIN EVERY INNING will increase traffic and revenues for the Sponsor, they may decide to increase the ways that WIN EVERY INNING will be distributed including:

Non-competing retail chains such as quick service restaurants, gas stations, video rental outlets, toy stores or other nationwide chains;

Packaged with foods or other consumer products such as soda or beer six-packs, snack foods or breakfast cereals;

In cooperation with a co-sponsoring airline or financial services company which might address an entirely different market;

In this case, winners would still return to the Sponsor's outlets to present winning cards and receive prizes. For Baseball, each co-sponsoring organization will increase viewers and excitement.

This invention further encompasses various devices and methods for gambling in conjunction with a live sporting event such as a live professional baseball game. A bettor purchases a wagering card corresponding to a specific future baseball game. Each wagering card has printed thereon the identity of the game (e.g., Yankees vs. Red Sox on Jun. 18, 2010), a listing of one or more (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more to take into account possible overtime play) innings, a possible occurrence for the one or more innings (e.g., 4 singles in the 1^(st) inning, 3 runs in the second inning, 2 doubles in the third inning, and so forth), and a pay amount if the occurrence happens during the specified inning. The wagering card might be pre-printed (with one or more pre-set wagers) or, preferably, printed on site at a casino or like venue to match a particular bettor's desired wager (e.g., bettor requests a $4 wager that the Yankees will hit a triple in the eighth inning). The card holder would then watch the game at a stadium, on television, or listen to it by radio.

If the specified inning occurrence in fact occurred, then the card holder would be entitled to the payout specified on the wagering card. Thus, the card holder would have a chance to win money at the selected inning or at multiple innings. Where the wagering card specifies more innings, the bettor would be encouraged to watch more of the game. In one variation, the card could have a bonus wager that could be dependent on the outcome of the game or another event. In another variation, the value of the payout could increase with the number of innings won (e.g., a payout worth $1 for winning one inning, a payout worth $3 for winning 2 innings, a payout worth $6 for winning 3 innings, etc.).

Importantly, the value of a payout could be determined by the statistical likelihood of the occurrence happening (e.g., as extrapolated from historical records compiled over greater than a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 20 year period). Thus, for instance, the payout for a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning could be $100, whereas the payout for hitting 3 singles in the first inning could be worth only $1. Using validated statistical likelihood calculations, the casino or other provider of the payouts could precisely calculate payouts for certain occurrences so as to ensure that it would always profit, at least in the long run.

Where the wagering card is pre-printed, each wagering card of the set of wagering cards per given game could specify the same inning-occurrence-payout listings, preferably, the set would include at least 2 (at least 3, 4, 5, 10, 100, 1000, 10,000 or more) subsets of cards with differing inning-occurrence-payout listings. Each card of the set might contain a unique inning-occurrence-payout listing or each card might be created by random generation and assignment of inning-occurrence-payout listings.

Other Embodiments

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A game card having printed thereon the identity of a baseball game, a listing of nine innings, a possible occurrence for each inning, and the name of a prize for each inning.
 2. A wagering card having printed thereon the identity of a baseball game, a listing of nine innings, a possible occurrence for each inning, and a payout for each inning. 